The Rivers State Police Command has detained two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50), for having fetish objects in their places of worship.
According to Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, who was parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, among the objects seized were carved skeletons, caskets, and monkey skulls.
According to her, the pastors, founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, were apprehended by youths of Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
After Henry Worlu, the community’s youth leader, reported them, they were taken into custody on January 20, 2025.
Iringe-Koko stated, “This case, which has been trending on social media, involves two pastors reported by youths of Rumunduru community, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, at about 9 am.
“The youths brought the suspects, Prophet Umoren Bassey and Prophet Elijah Anietie, both of Akwa Ibom State origin and handed them over to the police for discreet investigation.”
She listed the items recovered from their churches as including several photographs—some of which were of children—small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other ritual items.
The police spokesperson noted that an investigation into the matter was ongoing to ascertain the full extent of their activities and possible victims.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
